Stormfists t1_j7mqkfo wrote on February 7, 2023 at 10:33 PM

Reply to comment by cancerballs69420 in Would the Allies have kept fighting if the axis powers stopped? by Techno-87

And he almost won. The RAF was on the brink of collapse when Hitler ordered the blitz to be reduced significantly. A lot of experts say that another 4 months of massive bombardment would have eventually crippled Britain's air defences and meant a land invasion was potentially possible, supported by massive air drops.

Hattes t1_j7mte5j wrote on February 7, 2023 at 10:52 PM

It's fascinating to me that their intelligence was so bad, they didn't even know this (if it's true).

Stormfists t1_j7mtue8 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 10:55 PM

I'm English and have watched a LOT of WW2 documentaries. This factor has always fascinated me. If Britain had capitulated then Churchill would have had zero influence over Roosevelt. I'd probably be speaking German now if they'd have persisted.

TRex19000 t1_j7mv2td wrote on February 7, 2023 at 11:03 PM

Doubtful, Soviet Union and USA still existed and partisans.

Stormfists t1_j7mvqiw wrote on February 7, 2023 at 11:08 PM

The US wouldn't have got involved without the persistence of Churchill's personal relationship with Roosevelt, even despite Pearl Harbour - the US would have just focused on Japan. And by that time Hitler would have directed every resource to the Russian offensive, and even probably paid Britain for their tanks, resources, and aircraft... bare in mind the total capitulation of the French essentially bolstered the German war machine significantly - the same would have happened with Britain. Also, Mussolini would have probably supported too given Italy wouldn't have had issues in the Mediterranean, and Franco could have been pursuaded to throw the Spanish navy behind the German offensive. People underestimate just how significant Britain holding out made such a difference to WW2. It really is a remarkable story, albeit I wish it was just a story... Unfortunately it actually happened.

raymondcy t1_j7mxer2 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 11:20 PM

> the US would have just focused on Japan

I don't buy that. By the time Pearl Harbor happened the entire world knew what was at stake. Hitler had to be defeated at all costs. Japan was formidable and not to be taken lightly but I think the main US goal was always Germany / Europe.

Stormfists t1_j7mxrfw wrote on February 7, 2023 at 11:22 PM

I have contemplated the same but for me my opinion comes down to the question of... how would have the US waged a war with no European foothold?... there is zero way they could have staged a landing such as Normandy without a significant allie like Britain had they folded to German rule.

sean_psc t1_j7mxg0u wrote on February 7, 2023 at 11:20 PM

This is not at all true. The Blitz wasn’t even targeting British air defence, and it was extremely ineffective at anything beyond killing civilians.